Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed Pep Guardiola’s assertion that Manchester City have only a slim chance of progressing to the Champions League last 16.
Madrid hold a narrow 3-2 lead heading into Wednesday’s second-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabéu, with City struggling domestically, sitting fourth in the Premier League.
However, after a dominant 4-0 win over Newcastle, Guardiola played down his side’s chances, claiming they had just “a one percent chance” against the 15-time European champions.
“He does not truly think that,” Ancelotti said in a press conference. “Tomorrow I’ll ask him before the game, do you really think you’ve got a one percent chance? He really thinks they’ve got more chance than that… we don’t think we have a 99 percent chance. We believe we have a small advantage that we must capitalize on and aim to replicate our strong performance from the first leg.”
Ancelotti also provided team news, confirming that Antonio Rüdiger is fit to start, while Lucas Vázquez will only be available as a substitute.
The Italian tactician expressed his frustration with Spanish refereeing after recent controversial decisions in LaLiga but praised the officiating in European competitions.
“Statistics speak for themselves. In Europe, there’s less controversy, fewer VAR interventions,” he noted. “The VAR only steps in when it’s necessary, and the Champions League usually features the best referees from each country, so the quality is very high in this sense.”
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham, who was sent off for dissent in Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna, received backing from teammate Federico Valverde.
“What I want is players who leave their soul out on the pitch,” Valverde said. “Jude is a player who shows character, who always wants to win, who always wants to fight. This time he got a red card, but I like that he’s giving everything, his spikiness… we have to stay united as a team.”
With tensions rising and both sides determined to progress, the highly anticipated showdown at the Bernabéu promises to be a thrilling encounter.
